The Sturgis Business Boost group is ready to unveil its first project.

Renovations at State Line Golf Center are near completion and the community is invited to an open house from 1-5 p.m. Sunday to see what all the fuss is about.

For the past few months, volunteers have worked to renovate and revitalize State Line Golf, which has been a staple in the Sturgis community since the late 1950s. Owned by Lori (Beery) Owen, the business has a driving range with new mats and other amenities, a revitalized mini-putt course and a remodeled store so golfers and families can enjoy refreshments after playing.

The Generate Sturgis Business Boost project is designed to help fast-track a business on its way to success. The program includes offering help with renovation and also some business and marketing plan assistance.

Generate Sturgis is a group of community members whose mission is to create a positive entrepreneurial culture that embraces, supports and nurtures local businesses.

“Small businesses are the heart of a community and Generate Sturgis understands that,” said Mike Wilson, Generate Sturgis team leader. “While we work on programs to attract entrepreneurs to the Sturgis area, we don’t want to neglect existing entrepreneurs. Our own team has some key resources to offer and connections to other resources; what’s more, we have a very generous business community.”

“It’s been amazing,” Owen said. “We had a lot of work to do, and this is the outcome. I am just amazed at the businesses that have come forward to help with donations of labor and materials and their own expertise. I can’t thank everyone enough. I feel like I’m in a dream and I just hope nobody pinches me.”

As a way to honor donors and contributors, Business Boost held a VIP reception Wednesday at State Line Golf.

Several people provided brief remarks at the reception, including Wilson, project leader Phyllis Youga and Owen. Each reiterated dedication of volunteers and contributors who made the initial Business Boost undertaking a success.

A Business Boost-selected business must meet three criteria: Create or maintain jobs; provide a quality of life amenity for the broader community (such as entertainment or dining); and furnish a product or service that would be unavailable locally should the business fail. State Line Golf Center met all of those requirements.

As part of her contribution to the Business Boost project, Owen had to commit to give back to the community in exchange for the help. The payback? State Line Golf will host an open house Sunday, opening the center to the community to take advantage of the renovated center and its services.

In the long-term, Owen also hopes to revitalize the putting green, and eventually add batting cages and a go-cart track.

Page 2 of 2 - The 62 Business Boost partners who helped with the project: